John Henry Lyrics - Bill Monroe

John Henry was a little colored boy 

You could hold him on the palm of your hand 

And his papa cried out this lonesome farewell 

Son gonna be a steel drivin' man, Lord, Lord 

Gonna be a steel drivin' man 

John Henry went upon the mountain 

Looked down on the other side 

Lord, the mountain was so tall 

John Henry was so small 

He laid down his hammer and he cried, Lord, Lord 

He laid down his hammer and he cried 

John Henry told his captain 

(What it is?) 

I want to go to bed 

Now fix me a pallet of straw to lay down 

Got money roarin' in my head, Lord, Lord 

Got money roarin' in my head